Water-cooled mold for centrifugal casting machines



Sept. 3', 15929;;

H.. R; FARNSWORTH WATER COOLED MOLD FOR CENIRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINES FiI'ed March 2, 1928.

2 Sheets-Sheet. 1. rfh

IN VEN TOR HTTOKNEY Sept. 3, 1929. H. R. FARNSWORTH WATER COOLED MOLD FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINES Filed March 2, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR BY ATTORNEY.

' Patented 3, 192 9.

3 UNITED STATES PATENT, oFFIcEJ 1 HILAND R. FARNSWORTH, OF SANDU SKY, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE PAPER & TEXTILE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.

-WATER-COOLED MOLD FOR CENTRIFUGAL CASTING MACHINES.

Application filed March 2, 1928. Serial No. 258,518,

The inventionto bezhereinaffe'i described relates to water cooled molds for centrifugal casting machines.

More especially it has to do with machines.

' 5 adapted to cast tubular bodies of considerable diameter and length and of variable diame-- ter, length and wall thickness.

Broadly speaking these machines comprise a suitably mounted rotor or outer member 5.19 adapted to be revolved at the proper speed to efiect centrifugal casting of the desired article from the particular metal compositi on used, a suitable liner carried by the rotor and on which the metal is cast and means for delivering the molten metal to the interior of the liner. To enable the casting of objects of different lengths and-difierentdiametersin the same rotor, removable liners have been resorted to. They are constructed 2 so that they all removably fit into the rotor and are carried and supported by it. Their lateral and longitudinal cross sectional areas vary according to the measurements and form of the object to be cast.

together, constitute a complete mold. To provide for rapid dissipation of the heat of the casting, the mold may be cooled invarious ways. Among the more general arrang'ements are a bath of water in which the rotor travels, spraying of the outer surface of the rotor, water jacket on the rotor, water circulation between the rotor and liner. The last mentioned is in a broad sense in the same general category as the present invention and is well illustrated by the patent to Millspaugh 1,235,994 Aug. 7, 1917.

In molds of this general type'it has been difficult to provide a simple and eflicient water cooling construction, or to provide a mold 40 in which there is a simple economical construction by which both the length and cross sectional area of the casting may be varied within wide ranges while using the same rotor. The main objects of the presentv invention are to overcome these and other deficiencies.

In order to more clearly disclose the construction, operation and use of the invention reference should be had to the accompanying illustrative drawings forming part of the present application. Throughout the several i "figures of the drawings like reference char-' acters designate the samezparts in the difierentfvzews.

cross section through The rotor and liner rior.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central, vertical, longitudinal the invention, the rotor support being omitted;

Fig.- 2 is a lateral cross section on line 22 of ig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows; v

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, through the head block only, looking in the direction of thearrows;

Fig. 4 is a like view, on line 44 of Fig. 1, looking toward the right; and

V Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view, showing one of the pipe holding clips in plan view, as applied' The mounting and support of the rotor may be of any usual and well known construction and arrangement and is well understoodby those having a fair knowledge of the art. Illustration or description of 'it would add nothing to an understanding of the invention. Accordingly it has been omitted from the present application.

Referring to the drawings in detail, lindicates the rotor or element adapted to be revolved at a suitable speed to effect centrifugal casting of molten metal which may be suitably delivered within the same. As shown, it is a-metal member of such proportions and strength as to amply withstand all strains and stresses to which it may be subjected. Preferably, this rotor is provided with an outwardly directed radially extending annular attaching flange about the end through which the charge is fed by a spout or a dumper, as the case may be, to the inte- The opposite end may be closed by a suitable plate 2 provided for a purpose to be later disclosed. In the preferred form,

shown, the plate 2 and rotor body 1 are made separate and then secured together by suitable bolts, headed screws, or the like. This is the more economical and practical method,

though it "will be obvious that the two may;

be made integrally.

Within this rotor is removably disposed a liner 3. In this instance it is shown as a metal liner for casting metaLdirectly on metal.

The general exterior contour of the liner body is substantially that of the interior contour of the rotor and its lateral cross section is appreciably less than the corresponding cross sectional bore of the rotor whereby the liner may be readily inserted within and withdrawn from said bore.. About the open end of the liner-the end through which the charge is received-an annular flange 4 is provided, directed outwardly and extending radially. Flange 4 corresponds to and is adapted to cooperate with the flange about the end of the rotor, as will later appear. It limits the inward movement of the liner, as will be clear on reference to Fig. 1. On reference to Fig. 2 it will be noticed that the liner is provided with a plurality of ribs 5 extending radially at intervals about its circumference. These ribs act as spacers between the body of the liner and the inner wall of the rotor, to prevent continuous contact throughout adjacent surfaces of the two elements, to provide cooling chambers (as will later appear), and to maintain the two elements in concentric relations. Necessarily they must be of suchlength as to allow for expansion due to the great heat of the casting, without binding, while, at the same time, avoiding such looseness' as may result in harmful vibration between the parts during high speed rotation of the machine, This may be accurately calculated for the machines [of various dimensions.

' Preferably, these rlbs extend from the flange,4 to the opposite outside end of the "liner, so that, when assembled within the rotor, there will be a plurality. of similar longitudinal chambers regularly disposed about the liner, between the liner and the rotor and the respective ribs; as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Completing the liner, as a unit, is a charm bered head block 6 adapted to be bolted to the inner end of the liner. This head block extends completely across the bore of t e rotor making the same kind of a'fit throughout its contact'with the inner wall of-the rotor as do the ribs 5 and, when clamped in position, it makes similar contact with the inner ends of ribs 5. Assuming .the head to be clamped in position and the liner to be inserted so that flange 4 engages the corresponding flange on the end of rotor 1, each of the plurality of cooling chambers will be defined by flange 4, head 6, a pair of ribs 5 and the rotor and liner walls.

To supply a cooling fluid, preferably water, to these chambers, each is provided with a ipe 7. Pipes 7 extend longitudinally through the chambers to a point a little' distance from flange 4. The opposite end of each is passed in spaced relation, through an enlarged opening or bore 8 in the nearest wall of the head 6, through an outlet chamber 9 in the head 6 and threaded into a bore 10 in the partition 11 which acts to divide the head 6 into the outlet chamber 9 and inlet chamber 12. Thus, water or other fiuid cooling medium may flow freely from chamber 12, through the pipes 7, into the chambers between the ribs 5, back alongthe pipes 7, out through the bores 8 and into the outlet chamber 9. Of course a suitable water-tight packing is provided between the head 6 and' the adjacent end of the liner. Likewise the end of the liner body may have a central opening into which a corresponding raised portion of the head may be snugly fitted by tightening of the clamping screws, if desired, as willbe obvious. Such a construction has been shown; It is equally clear that such opening may be omitted and theliner formed with that end closed.

i In these machines castings may range from i a few inches in length totwenty-five feet or more and from four or five inches tofortyfour inches or more in diameter. For the greater lengths the metal is fed through what is well known in the art as a dumping trough. It is simply a long tubular member secured at one end to a hopper or tank from the free end of-the trough or a; suitable ex-- tension on it rests upon the longitudinal wall of the opening through the inner end of the liner, adjacent the raised'centering portion of the head 6. Or, alternatively, such raised portion may be thickened and provided with a recess or socket for the same purpose. Or,

if that end of the liner is continuouswithout the central openingit may be similarly recessed or socketed, for the same purpose.

In order to supply water to the chamber 12 and thence through pipes 7 to .the cooling chambers between the ribs 5, an inlet pipe 13 is provided, connected with a suitable source of supply. Preferably it is threaded into a boss surrounding acentral opening in the outer wall of chamber 12. To provide an outlet from chamber 9, a second pipe 14 similarly communicates therewith. It is spaced from and concentric with pipe 13 and suitably connected to any desired discharge or outlet. The larger or feed pipe 13 is extended through the central opening of plate 2, the clearance between the pipe and adjacent wall of such opening being ample to permit free movement of the pipe relatively to such plate. The respective projecting ends of the pipes 13 and 14 are suitably revolubly supported to have free rotation with the rotor and relatively to their respective supports. As shown, such support may comprise a block with inlet and outlet passages communicating with the respective pipes. and bearings for revoluble mounting of the respective pipe ends. Pipes 7 connected only at one end,- lying between the ribs 5, "as in Fig. 2, due to 1 in tendenc is avoided. Other means of P e y the rotation I and centrifugal action, would soon be torn loose from their connections unless further secured. To this end, clips I are provided. As many as may be desired for course, may be provided. v

It. will be noticed that the liner illustrated is considerably shorter than its rotor. ,With this construction and disposition, a liner either longer or shorter than that shown, may

be used, or ,one of either greater or less ,in-'

terior cross sectionalarea. This makes possible a very wide range of castings from the same rotor -both as to length and as to diameter.- I I When the liner has been slidinto the rotor until ,the flange 4 engages the corresponding flange of the rotor it will-be secured'in such position by the detachable face plate 16 which extends across the open end of the liner and has a central opening for insertion and withdrawal of a suitable pouring spout or dumping trough. It forms a front wall against which the corresponding end .of the casting solidifies. a It is clam ed in position by bolt and nut or other suitable means, the bolts extending from the flange of the rotor, through notches in'flange 4 and through and beyond the face plate so that by .tightening the cooperating nuts the liner will be forced strongly to its innermost position and solidly clamped there, as will be evident. While continuous ribs 5 have been shown,

' it will be understood'that the ribs need not be continuous, nor need they be truly parallel to the longitudinal axis of the liner. Or

- they maybe continuous but provided with instead of separate.

- ever, is that shown.

- rotor need neither be continuous.- Either or It is alsoto be understood, of course, that the flange 4 and cooperating'flange on the 7 both may be, instead a pluralitypf short flanges, ears, or the-like. The continuous flange 15. simple, eas strong and onomical there 1s cooling and is preferred. fcourse, wh communication between successi chambers, as by passages through the ribs 5," the number of pipes 7 may be decreased. In

some sizes, such arrangement,*a single pipe will doubtless. be sufiicient. Necessarily. the angle and disposition of openings through 5 will have great influence on the direction and force of circulation of the cooling medium.

I Whileihepipes 7 have been shown as imperforate and delivering only through their various constructions and free ends, it is to be understood that they may be perforate or slotted and deliver from points intermediate of their ends as-,well as from their free ends'or instead of from such free ends. I

Or, the pipes may beof varying lengths some delivering near theend adjacent flange 4, as in Fig. 1, others near the opposite end, and others at intermediate points. By the spositions above set forth, the cooling fluid is caused to mix will be less tendency to have the mold and casting cooled considerably more in one area than in another. The outflowing hot water will be met and mixed with the incoming cold water and the whole will be thoroughly mixed, as will be well understood. Likewise, where the ribs are inclined, they will set up additional currents to increase the mixing effect. It is thought that these several details and their eflect will be clear from the preceding detailed description and that further illustration would add nothing to a clearer understanding, while at the same time simply further increasing the size of'the record.

.With the parts assembled as in Fig. 1, the operation is as followsz-The rotor is driven at the desired speed, water under pressure en- ;andcirculate in cross currents so that a more uniform temperature may be maintained throughout the length of the mold and there ters between pipes 13 and 14 and passes into inlet chamber 12 where the force of its initial pressure is increased by the added centrifugal force so that it is forced through pipe 7 and out into the cooling chamber where, through heat from the liner and the casting and passes in the opposite-direction along the chambers to andcthrough the openings 8 into chamber 9, through outlet pipe Hand to the discharge,

carrying with it the heat abstracted from the casting and cooling the casting. It is thought that the construction, operation and use of the invention will be clear from the preceding detailed description, wherein a single constriiction has en disclosed in a purely illustrative manner and 'iwithout intention to in' any way limit the scope of 'the inventionfby such illustrations.

Many changes may be made inthe construe? tion, arrangement anddisposition of the several parts of the invention without in any degree departing from the field thereof and it is meant to include" all such within the scope contact with the liner wall it abstracts the "of the appended claims forming part of this protect. by. Letters Ratcomprising, a rotor, a liner mountedin fluid from saidhead through the space between the liner and rotor, outlet con nections between said head and the space between said rotor and said liner, and con-x nections fordelivering of cooling fluid to and from said head. z

, 3. A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising, a-rotor, a liner mounted in spaced relation therein, a chambered head carried by said liner, a conduit carried by said head and establishing communication between said rotor and liner. and a chamber in said head,

outlet connections between said head and the spacebetween said rotor; and liner, and means for delivery of cooling fluid to and from said head. V

4. A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted in spaced-relation therein, a chambered head carried by said liner, a conduit carried bysaid head and extending through one chamber thereof and establishing communication between another chamber thereof and the space between said rotor and said liner, outlet connections between a chamberof said head and thespace between said rotor and said liner, and connections for delivery of cooling fluidto and from said head.

5. A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising a rotor, a linermounted in spaced relation therein, means for circulating a cooling fluid between said rotor and liner, means for delivering the'cooling fluidv to and fromthe space between said rotor and liner, and a head carried by said liner-and carrying said fluid delivering means and provided with a socket to receive and support the end of a dumping trough.

6. -A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted in spaced relation therein, means for circulating a cooling fluid between said rotor and liner, means concentric with the longitudinal axis of the rotor for delivering the cooling fluid to and from the'space between said rotor and liner,

' and a head separate from and carried by said liner and provided with means for 'supporting the free end of a dumping trough.

7 7 A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted in spaced relation therein and provided with a flange adapted tolimit the inward movement of said liner relatively to-sa'id rotor and to close, at that end, the space between said rotor and liner, ahead carried by the opposite end of said liner, means for delivering a cooling fluid to and through said head and into said space, and means for delivering a cooling fluid from said space to and through said head end to a discharge. 8. A mold for centrifugal'casting machines relation therein, a chambered head carried by said liner, a conduit carried'by said liner and establishing communication between said head and the space between said rotor and liner, means for securing said conduit to said lmer to prevent 'relatlve movementtherebetween, and means for delivering a cooling fluid to and from said head.

9. A mold for centrifugal casting machines comprising a rotor, a liner mounted in spaced relation therein, a plurality of conduits within said space for circulating a cooling fluid between said rotor and liner and terminating at diflerent points longitudinally of said space, and means for delivering the cooling fluid to and from the space between said rotor and liner.

.10. A mold. for centrifugal casting inachines oomprisingfa rotor, a liner mounted in spaced relation therein, a plurality of conduits within said space arid terminating at' different points circumferentially of said" space, and means for delivering the cooling fluid, to and from the space between said rotor and liner. i

11. A mold for centrifugal casting mav chines comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted 7 in spaced relation therein, a plurality of conduits within said space and delivering said fluid at different points longitudinally and circumferentially of said space, and means for -delivering the cooling fluid to and from the space between said rotor and liner.

12. A mold for ce'ntrifugal casting machines comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted'llo in spaced relation .therein, a plurality of conduits within said space and delivering said fluid at diflerent points within saidspace, spacing members between said rotorand liner providedwith passages adapted to permit circumferential' flow of said fluid through said space and among said conduits, and means for delivering the cooling fluid to and from the space between said rotor and liner.

Signed at Sandusky, Ohio, 1928.

AHILAND R. FARNSWOBTH.

comprising, a rotor, a liner mounted in spaced 75 

